Natural History & Anatomy Sensory system impact on behaviors and training

NATURAL HISTORY & ANATOMY DISCRIMINATING DOLPHINS V. PORPOISES

NATURAL HISTORY & ANATOMY DOLPHIN CLASSIFICATION Kingdom.……………………..Animalia Phylum……………………….Chordata Class………………………….Mammalia Order………………………….Cetacea Suborder……………………..Odontoceti Family…………………………Delphinidae Genus…………………………Tursiops Species……………………….truncatus Subspecies…………………..truncatus Common…………………….. Atlantic bottlenose dolphin

NATURAL HISTORY & ANATOMY DISTRIBUTION Bottlenose dolphins are the most prolific dolphins in the worldBottlenose dolphins are the most prolific dolphins in the world Found in temperate and tropical watersFound in temperate and tropical waters Atlantic bottlenose dolphins live in shallow coastal watersAtlantic bottlenose dolphins live in shallow coastal waters Can reach speeds of about 25 mphCan reach speeds of about 25 mph

NATURAL HISTORY & ANATOMY BODY SIZE Females tend to be larger than males until the age of 6Females tend to be larger than males until the age of 6 By 10 years old, females reach full body mass whereas males are only at 70% of body massBy 10 years old, females reach full body mass whereas males are only at 70% of body mass Size: 6 ½ - 12 feetSize: 6 ½ - 12 feet Average weight: 440 lbsAverage weight: 440 lbs

NATURAL HISTORY & ANATOMY EPIDERMIS Composed of many layers of flattened epithelial cellsComposed of many layers of flattened epithelial cells Outer layers contain keratin, a water-resistant proteinOuter layers contain keratin, a water-resistant protein Outer layer may be replaced every 2 hoursOuter layer may be replaced every 2 hours Laminar flow: reduces the turbulence next to the skin and allows for more efficient swimmingLaminar flow: reduces the turbulence next to the skin and allows for more efficient swimming

NATURAL HISTORY & ANATOMY BODY TEMPERATURE The water can draw heat away from an unprotected animal, so cetaceans depend upon a layer of blubber for insulationThe water can draw heat away from an unprotected animal, so cetaceans depend upon a layer of blubber for insulation Body temperature is around 98.7 degreesBody temperature is around 98.7 degrees With human care they can live out of water for hoursWith human care they can live out of water for hours Can tolerate temperatures down to 52 degrees for 4 hoursCan tolerate temperatures down to 52 degrees for 4 hours

NATURAL HISTORY & ANATOMY SKELETAL SYSTEM vertebral ribs12-14 vertebral ribs vertebrae59-67 vertebrae

NATURAL HISTORY & ANATOMY BRAIN Delphinidae members have the highest brain size to body size among cetaceansDelphinidae members have the highest brain size to body size among cetaceans Comparing brain weight as a percentage of body weightComparing brain weight as a percentage of body weight –Bottlenose dolphin: 0.94% –Human: 2.1%

NATURAL HISTORY & ANATOMY BRAIN: CORPUS CALLOSUM A large bundle of nerve fibers that connects the two cerebral hemispheresA large bundle of nerve fibers that connects the two cerebral hemispheres Hemispheres are important in the transmission of learned behavior from one hemisphere to anotherHemispheres are important in the transmission of learned behavior from one hemisphere to another Compared to humans, in dolphins the two hemispheres operate more independently of each otherCompared to humans, in dolphins the two hemispheres operate more independently of each other –This may be related to dolphins’ sleep patterns

NATURAL HISTORY & ANATOMY DIVING Dolphins usually dive according to where they live, but 1,000 feet is the limitDolphins usually dive according to where they live, but 1,000 feet is the limit Their lungs are about 4 times the size of oursTheir lungs are about 4 times the size of ours They exchange 80% of their lung capacity with every breathThey exchange 80% of their lung capacity with every breath Dolphins can hold their breath for 10 minutesDolphins can hold their breath for 10 minutes

NATURAL HISTORY & ANATOMY EYES/VISION Can see well in and out of the waterCan see well in and out of the water Dolphins do have rods (black and white) and cones (usually for color differentiation) ‏Dolphins do have rods (black and white) and cones (usually for color differentiation) ‏ Probably see mostly in shades of black and white, and they may see in shades of green and blueProbably see mostly in shades of black and white, and they may see in shades of green and blue

NATURAL HISTORY & ANATOMY TEETH/FEEDING cone shaped teeth cone shaped teeth Nondeciduous: only have one set of teeth their whole livesNondeciduous: only have one set of teeth their whole lives Hunt in groupsHunt in groups Use echolocation to find preyUse echolocation to find prey

NATURAL HISTORY & ANATOMY ECHOLOCATION

GOOSEBEAK Larynx is modified into the goosebeakLarynx is modified into the goosebeak No vocal chords present in dolphinsNo vocal chords present in dolphins The goosebeak separates the breathing passage from the ingestion passageThe goosebeak separates the breathing passage from the ingestion passage Allows for simultaneous sound production and swallowingAllows for simultaneous sound production and swallowing

NATURAL HISTORY & ANATOMY EARS/HEARING Sound travels 4x faster in water than in airSound travels 4x faster in water than in air In cetaceans, the inner ears are isolated from the skullIn cetaceans, the inner ears are isolated from the skull – Completed by long auditory canals – Ending with an external hole Ear

NATURAL HISTORY & ANATOMY COMMUNICATION Dolphins communicate through whistles, clicks, and body posturesDolphins communicate through whistles, clicks, and body postures Maximum capacity is 20 different types of whistlesMaximum capacity is 20 different types of whistles There is a theory that whistles are used to communicate identity, location, and emotional stateThere is a theory that whistles are used to communicate identity, location, and emotional state Dolphins will mimic each other’s whistlesDolphins will mimic each other’s whistles Females tend to have a different signature whistle than their mom’s, males tend to have similar onesFemales tend to have a different signature whistle than their mom’s, males tend to have similar ones

NATURAL HISTORY & ANATOMY SOCIALIZATION Dolphins do not mate for lifeDolphins do not mate for life “Fission and Fusion Society”“Fission and Fusion Society” MalesMales –Tend to be in pods only during certain times –Generally not in pods during times of birth –More solitary FemalesFemales –Generally found in pods –Aid in protection and feeding